Is Champai Soren, who was the Jharkhand chief minister not so long ago, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in the run-up to the Jharkhand Assembly elections? The question arises from political buzz that can be overwhelmingly heard in the power corridors of both Ranchi and New Delhi.
It was well-known in the political circles that Champai Soren was unhappy with the way he was unceremoniously removed from the Chief Minister’s post to make way for Hemant Soren to become CM again. He was anointed to the top post after Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, only to keep the seat warm till the latter’s return.
Lobin Hembrom, former JMM MLA who fought as a rebel candidate in the Lok Sabha election, told a media organisation that Champai Soren is in touch with BJP leadership, adding that the time has come to oppose ‘parivarvaad’ or dynasty politics. This led to the speculation of Champai Soren quitting the JMM. Slowly, the buzz snowballed into not just Champai Soren, but Lobin Hembram as well as sitting minister Badal Patralekh too tipped to join the BJP in Delhi.
What fuelled the rumours is Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praising Champai Soren. “In the last five years of JMM-Congress rule in Jharkhand, if any work has been accomplished it’s during the six-month tenure of Champai Soren as the Chief Minister,” he said. The statement assumes more significance when pointed out that Sarma is also BJP’s co-incharge of the Jharkhand election, which is expected later this year.
About the speculation, former BJP state president Deepak Prakash said: “He (Champai Soren) was serving Jharkhand as an able Chief Minister. The 3.5 crore people of Jharkhand were happy with his work. But the way he was removed from the CM post, was unfortunate… What was his fault?”
The man at the centre of the speculation has dismissed the buzz. Champai Soren played down his speculated trip to New Delhi with a smile and calm demeanour. “You guys ask such questions… I am in front of you.” He was in his constituency Saraikela on Friday when he was faced with queries from journalists.
It is well known that he wasn’t happy with the way he was removed after Hemant Soren was released from jail on bail. He complained in close quarters that he felt “insulted” by the way he was removed, say sources. He is a tribal leader who had always been a perpetual “chief minister-in-waiting”. He is an Adivasi by birth and a loyalist of the first family of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party — the Sorens.
Champai Soren was also a crusader for statehood of Jharkhand and a seven-time MLA who feels he has all the right credentials to become Jharkhand’s Chief Minister.
Is Champai Soren’s smile rubbishing his trip to Delhi concealing his political ambitions that the BJP may help attain? For now, it’s just speculation — officially.
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